———
~ Please support this site by disabling your ad-blocker ❤️ ~
______
Translator's note: Finally there is advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 63
As Jiu Nian's words fell, Gu Han finally understood why she sometimes felt uncomfortable when seeing Rong Bǎolín
It was like looking in a mirror, but the person in the reflection wasn't quite you, only bearing a resemblance. Especially knowing this similarity was deliberately contrived by that person made Gu Han feel thoroughly disgusted.
After a long while, Gu Han finally asked:
"When did it start?"
Jiu Nian also shook her head with an unpleasant expression: "This servant doesn't know either. It was only after His Majesty's remark that this servant discovered the discrepancy."
The hall fell silent for a moment. Gu Han pressed her lips together in vexation. After quite a while, she said in a heavy voice:
"Don't bother with her for now. We'll deal with it after the Longevity Festival ends."
Because of the Rong Bǎolín matter, Gu Han had been in somewhat poor spirits these past few days. On the day of the Longevity Festival, she rose early. When selecting palace attire, just as she was about to raise her hand to point at that indigo cloud-weave brocade palace gown, she suddenly froze.
Jiu Nian looked up in puzzlement: "What's wrong, my lady?"
Gu Han said expressionlessly:
"What do you think Rong Bǎolín will wear today?"
Jiu Nian fell silent. If Rong Bǎolín intended to emulate her mistress, her dress and adornment would naturally resemble her mistress's. But Rong Bǎolín acted discreetly, she had probably only chosen a simple, elegant palace gown. That kind of color suited her well too.
Gu Han's gaze fell on the several palace gowns the servants had brought. After pausing for a moment, she pointed to one of them.
Jiu Nian looked at her mistress with an odd expression but silently helped her change into that palace attire. Paired with the jade hairpin His Majesty had recently bestowed upon her mistress, it immediately made her mistress appear refined and spiritually elegant. Her willow-leaf eyebrows curved into a gentle arc, and every gesture and movement exuded a noble bearing.
The banquet was being held at Taihe Hall. Gu Han wasn't in a hurry to go. After eating some food, she ordered the palace servants to head toward Taihe Hall.
Last night a light drizzle had fallen. The pathway was paved with cobblestones that were quite slippery. Jiu Nian kept warning from the side: "Everyone be careful underfoot. Don't let my lady fall."
Gu Han heard this clearly and could sense the palanquin bearers being very cautious. After eating, she felt somewhat drowsy, her palm supporting her cheek as she grew sleepy.
She was startled fully awake by a cry. Gu Han lifted the embroidered curtain and looked up, only to discover two groups not far ahead had collided, tumbling to the ground in disarray. Gu Han watched with tightly furrowed brows and ordered:
"Go see who collided up ahead."
Jiu Nian first had the servants set the palanquin down steadily, fearing someone might thoughtlessly crash into her mistress. Only then did she jog forward. Upon seeing who had collided, she didn't rashly offer help but hurried back to report:
"My lady, it's Yè Xiūróng and Yu Cáirén."
As soon as these words fell, Gu Han's brows rose slightly. If it were others, she might consider it mere coincidence, but placed on these two people, Gu Han couldn't help but grow suspicious, could it be that Yu Cáirén had done it deliberately?
Yè Xiūróng held third rank and traveled with a palanquin. Being suddenly struck, she'd fallen directly from the palanquin. Even from some distance, Gu Han could clearly hear her cries of pain.
Gu Han didn't want to get involved in this matter. In just this brief time, quite a few concubines had arrived upon hearing the commotion. Seeing this, Gu Han couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, at least she wouldn't need to step forward to handle this matter.
Just as she was preparing to descend from the palanquin, she heard Lin Guipin’s startled voice:
"Aiyou, what happened here? Quickly, someone come help Xiurong back to her palace and send for His Majesty and the imperial physicians!"
Translator note: I changed concubine Lin to Lin guipin so that we can understand her rank. Concubine Lin is incorrect. It's either Lin guipin or noble lady Liu
When the path ahead was cleared, Gu Han hesitated before finally ordering quietly:
"Go to Taihe Hall first."
She and Yè Xiūróng had no relationship, and because of the young prince, they'd each tacitly kept their distance. She was too lazy to step forward now with feigned concern, lest it create more trouble.
Moreover, today was the Longevity Festival, His Majesty probably had no time to attend to Yè Xiūróng.
Gu Han was escorted by palace servants into Taihe Hall. Everyone's gazes fell upon her, and the hall suddenly fell silent for a moment. She walked all the way to her seat, with people occasionally glancing at her. The woman looked straight ahead, her skin like congealed cream that could rival snow, leaving others merely amazed.
Zhou Měirén had arrived early. She showed no particular sadness over the previous day's events. Upon seeing her, she raised her brows as usual and complained in a lowered voice:
"Why did you arrive so late?"
Gu Han glanced at the seating. With Zhou Měirén's demotion, they had been separated. Gu Han paused before sitting beside Zhou Měirén. Zhou froze for a moment before quickly lowering her eyes. She said sullenly:
"You should sit further forward."
Gu Han said softly: "We're both low ranked rank, it doesn't matter. Besides, sitting with you, I can still chat."
Zhou Měirén fell silent. She knew that Gu Han had a good reputation in the palace, a good temperament, and could talk with anyone. These words now were merely meant to comfort her.
But after the previous day's events, the harem concubines were all quite wary of her. Few dared speak with her. Zhou Měirén's lips moved, but ultimately she didn't say the words telling Gu Han to return to her proper seat.
Only then did Gu Han tell her about what she'd encountered on the way:
"I don't know if it was an accident."
Zhou Měirén immediately lost her melancholy mood. She rolled her eyes and said dismissively: "She's just stupid. In the past outside the palace, others deferred to her for the Grand Tutor's estate's sake, indulging her arrogance. Even after entering the palace for so long, her mind still isn't clear."
No matter how Yu Cáirén made a fuss, the young prince could never return to her care. The Yu and Ye families had long been allied at court, and Yè Xiūróng seemed like a sensible person. If Yu Cáirén continued making trouble like this, sooner or later she would destroy her own backing.
Not being able to see the situation clearly was what made people speechless about Yu Cáirén.
Gu Han met her gaze and laughed quietly with lowered eyes, clearly taking delight in Yu Cáirén's future predicament. Zhou Měirén clicked her tongue:
"So you do hold grudges in your heart."
Gu Han didn't deny it, chatting in detail with Zhou Měirén. Just then, the two heard some commotion at the hall entrance. Both raised their eyes to look, only to see Rong Bǎolín being helped in by palace servants. As their four eyes met, Rong Bǎolín's body suddenly stiffened.
The emotions on Gu Han's face faded.
Zhou Měirén looked left and right, her eyes constantly darting between Rong Bǎolín and Gu Han. Suddenly, she covered her lips and laughed aloud, so delighted her eyes curved. She held onto Gu Han's arm, laughing so hard she couldn't straighten up.
On the other side, Rong Bǎolín stiffly returned to her seat amid rising murmurs of discussion.
Gu Han shot Zhou Měirén an irritated sidelong glance: "What are you laughing at?"
Zhou Měirén wiped tears from the corners of her eyes. After composing herself for a long while, she said with a laugh:
"When I saw her copying you, I only felt disgusted. Now it seems unclear who should feel disgusted and embarrassed."
Gu Han understood the meaning in her words. She glanced almost imperceptibly at Rong Bǎolín, who today wore a palace gown embroidered with orchids against flowing moonlight, just as Gu Han had guessed.
Yesterday, after learning Rong Bǎolín was emulating her, Gu Han had been quite vexed. Little Fang Zi had quickly sent her a message, the Garment Bureau had delivered new palace attire to Wanxi Palace.
The style and pattern had all been clearly investigated by Little Fang Zi.
Today Gu Han wore an orchid-embroidered cloud-weave brocade palace gown. Considering just the style and pattern, it was extraordinarily similar to what Consort Rong wore, only the brocade used was different. Since entering the palace, Gu Han had been favored and frequently praised for her appearance. One could imagine what it would look like when two people wearing similar clothing appeared in the same setting.
At the very least, Zhou Měirén was laughing until tears came out.
It was normal for consorts to emulate what His Majesty liked. When Consort Shu was favored, quite a few people copied Consort Shu's mannerisms and dress. But rarely did anyone go as far as Rong Bǎolín, even modifying her features to resemble Gu Han's.
Beauty Zhou sneered: "Like an ugly woman trying to imitate a beauty, not even checking if the original is present."
Zhou Měirén's mouth was merciless. Gu Han didn't stop her from speaking. She swept a glance at Rong Bǎolín's stiff posture before withdrawing her gaze without emotion. The moment Rong Bǎolín decided to copy her, she should have anticipated today's scene.
Just as Gu Han had guessed, Lu Yu didn't go to visit Yè Xiūróng. He arrived at Taihe Hall together with the Empress, and the banquet proceeded as scheduled.
On the high platform, the Empress suddenly let out a sound of surprise.
Lu Yu lifted his eyelids and turned his head to ask: "What is it?"
The Empress covered her lips, seeming somewhat surprised. After a moment, she shook her head and said:
"Nothing. It's just that today Concubine Zhao and Rong Bǎolín seem quite in sync, their clothing made this consort almost mistake them for each other at first glance."
Lu Yu felt his temples throb upon hearing this. He immediately looked down and indeed saw Rong Bǎolín dressed similarly to the woman. The woman glanced at her, seemed to freeze for a moment, then barely lowered her eyes. Even when speaking with Zhou Měirén beside her, she seemed somewhat distracted.
Lu Yu's eyes darkened. He had just warned Gu Han yesterday to keep her distance from Rong Bǎolín. Afraid she'd feel hurt, he hadn't had the heart to tell her the reason. Yet today Rong Bǎolín was being so blatant, no matter how slow Gu Han might be, she should have discovered something amiss.
Lu Yu felt quite annoyed, thinking Rong Bǎolín lacked discernment. Whatever guilt he'd felt recently had vanished completely. He said with a cold expression:
"Wearing the same attire as a superior is disrespectful."
The Empress paused slightly, imperceptibly raising an eyebrow. She said: "Your Majesty speaks correctly. Tomorrow this consort will admonish Rong Bǎolín."
In the past, His Majesty had never bothered with such trivial harem matters. As long as you could win him some favor, he didn't care what methods you used. Concubine Zhao had truly gained some regard from His Majesty, even Rong Bǎolín’s small attempts at competing for favor displeased him.
The Empress drank a cup of wine and, when no one was looking, cast a glance toward Gu Han.
She sighed inwardly. Rong Bǎolín was indeed quite capable, but for some reason she'd gotten into conflict with Zhou Měirén. She could also endure what ordinary people couldn't. Originally she could have been of great use.
What a pity.
Now that Rong Bǎolín had earned His Majesty's displeasure, the Empress also hadn't forgotten that her own sister had been thrown into the Cold Palace because of Rong Bǎolín.
Even if she might prove useful in the future, those uses couldn't offset the Empress's aversion to her.
The Empress slowly set down her wine cup, withdrawing her gaze from Concubine Zhao, feeling somewhat disgusted. She said:
"At previous banquets, Concubine Zhao was always very spirited. Today she seems rather listless."
Lu Yu couldn't help but cast his gaze toward Gu Han again. With just this one look, Lu Yu saw the pastry plate before her nearly empty. Lu Yu's lips curved slightly, he didn't know what had gotten into the woman lately, but she'd been eating quite greedily.
Lu Yu had originally been somewhat worried about her because of Rong Bǎolín, but seeing her like this, he felt somewhat reassured. Lu Yu turned to ask the Empress:
"What food has been prepared for today's banquet?"
The Empress: "This consort remembers Your Majesty enjoys fish, so I specifically had the imperial kitchens prepare sweet and sour fish."
Lu Yu felt unmoved, but recalling the woman also quite liked it, he said:
"Have the servants set out the food first."
The Empress glanced at Gu Han, her expression unchanged, still smiling: "This consort will order it immediately.”
---
Translator's note: guys please i am looking for a volunteer editor, chat me up on dis cord if you are interested. Discord: d_ladypresident
Author's Note:
Kunning Palace: Empress
Yi'an Palace: Consort Shu
Xianleng Palace: Imperial Consort De
Zhaoyang Palace → Main Hall: Xiuyi He
Zhaoyang Palace → Side Hall: Rong Baolin
Yihe Palace → Changchun Pavilion: Female Lead
Rongcui Hall: Beauty Miao
Cuizhu Pavilion: Beauty Lin
Changning Courtyard: Zhou Meiren
Hanleng Palace → (Main Hall transferred to Side Hall): Talented Lady Yuan
Also appearing: Noble Lady Lin, Liu Baolin
Here are the ranks of imperial consorts:
- Empress (皇后 Huánghoù) — Head of the Imperial Harem
- Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵妃 Huáng Guìfēi) — Rank 1
- Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Virtuous Consort, Worthy Consort (贵妃、淑妃、德妃、贤妃 Guìfēi, Shūfēi, Défēi, Xiánfēi)** — Senior Rank 1 (The Four Consorts, with Noble Consort as the highest)
- Consort (妃 Fēi) — Junior Rank 2
- Bright Deportment, Bright Countenance (昭仪、昭容 Zhāoyí, Zhāoróng) — Senior Rank 3
- Cultivated Deportment, Cultivated Countenance (修仪、修容 Xiūyí, Xiūróng) — Junior Rank 3
- Noble Lady (贵嫔 Guìpín) — Senior Rank 4
- Imperial Concubine (嫔 Pín) — Junior Rank 4
- Beauty (美人 Měirén) — Senior Rank 5
- Talented Lady (才人 Cáirén) — Junior Rank 5
- Precious Grove (宝林 Bǎolín) — Senior Rank 6
- Imperial Woman (御女 Yùnǚ) — Junior Rank 6
- Palace Maid (宫女子 Gōngnǚzǐ) — Senior Rank 7
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
TRANSLATOR
please vote on novel updates
Hi guys, please if you have any questions about a character or i made a mistake somewhere, please do not hesitate to let me know in the comment section. i currently have no editor.
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel translation and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Show support by clicking on the Support Us button below!❤️
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments
What's on your mind...